#KnowYourPalm is
an initiative to make a conscious choice to demand products that contain certified sustainable palm oil.
This is an initiative by The Better India in collaboration with the Roundtable Sustainable
Palm Oil (RSPO) to encourage consumers, businesses and relevant stakeholders to
transition to sustainable palm oil. RSPO is a not-for-profit that unites stakeholders from the 7 key
sectors of the palm oil industry: oil palm producers, processors or traders, consumer goods
manufacturers, retailers, banks/investors, and environmental and social non-governmental organisations
(NGOs), to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil.
Palm oil
is an integral part of our lives but many of us don’t know about it. It's in 50% of everyday use
products.
The best
alternative to palm oil is sustainable palm
oil. To
find why, check out the FAQs at the end of this page.
"I support
sustainable palm oil because I care about
protecting tigers, elephants, orangutans and other animals who inhabit the
rainforests in SouthEast
Asia”
Though
most of us don’t directly use palm oil in our kitchens, did you know that it is a commonly used ingredient
in every other product or food item we use, consume or order on a daily basis? From lipstick to soap, ice
cream, bread, pizza, cookies and chocolate to instant noodles, shampoo and toothpaste to name just a few -
palm oil is in almost everything!
50% of our
everyday use products have palm oil
Did
You Know?
Palm
Oil in Everyday Life
85% of
palm oil is produced in Indonesia and Malaysia
Generally speaking, the conversion of forests for other land uses, including pulp, oil palm, and
soy plantations, pastures, settlements, roads and infrastructure. However the top 3 drivers are:
Cattle farming
Converting forest to pasture for beef cattle, largely in Latin America, is a primary driver
that has destroyed 2.71 million hectares of tropical forest each year - an area about the size
of the state of Massachusetts - in just four countries.
Soybean farming
Growing global demand for meat-free and dairy-free products has contributed to the doubling of
soybean production in the last 20 years.Every year around 480,000 hectares is deforested for soy
in major soy-producing countries.
Wood products
Perhaps the most iconic symbol of forest destruction, wood production has been shown to cause
around 380,000 hectares of deforestation annually in key countries, though the actual number is
likely higher. Read more
Illegal logging occurs in all types of forests across all continents – from Brazil to Indonesia –
destroying nature and wildlife, taking away community livelihoods and distorting trade. Illegally
harvested wood finds its way into major consumption markets, such as the U.S., and European Union,
which further fuels the cycle.
According to the WWF reports, Orangutans, Sumatran Elephant, Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Sumatran
Rhino are on the verge of extinction because of unsustainable oil palm cultivation.
When grown unsustainably, oil palm agriculture can have damaging impacts on the environment but
when grown sustainably, palm oil is a product that can have a positive impact on people and the
planet.
Conventionally, palm oil plantations are cultivated
on existing agriculture land or after clearing forests or peatlands (a form of wetland). Two types of
oil can be produced from the fruit of oil palm trees. Crude palm oil is produced by
squeezing the fleshy fruit, and palm kernel oil comes from crushing the kernel, or the seed in the
middle of the fruit.
Around 85% of the world’s oil
palms are grown in Malaysia and Indonesia, which are home to some of the most bio-diverse
tropical forests found on earth.
It’s possible to choose products without palm oil, but other oil crops are not as versatile and
actually need up to 10x more land to get the same amount of oil, with a few yielding as little as
10% of the yield of oil palms. Instead, you can look for products made from sustainable palm oil
or it’s derivatives. Read
more
No. Palm oil continues to be produced in Malaysia and Indonesia using sustainable and
unsustainable practices. India imports approximately 9 million metric tonnes of palm oil every
year and is the world’s largest importer. In fact, a ban on palm oil can cause more damage than
good.
A boycott of palm oil means companies buy alternative oils and derivatives that require 4-10
times more land and other resources and that could cause more damage to the environment, including
biodiversity loss. Oil palms produce roughly 35% of the world’s vegetable oil on less than 10% of
the land allocated to oil crops. More stringent regulations, ethical practices for sustainable
production/trade and a shift in norms to bring down the carbon footprint is needed now more than
ever.
There are many names, but here are just a few examples:
Palm oil is omnipresent and used as an edible or non-edible ingredient in approximately 50% of
everyday use products like cooking oil (including blended oils and fats) biscuits, bread, snacks,
chocolates, cakes, burgers, pizzas, ice-cream, lipsticks, soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, cosmetics,
surfactants, cleaning products, detergents, biodiesel and many more.
Palm oil is extremely versatile and has many different properties and functions.
It is resistant to oxidation and gives products a longer shelf life, it is stable at high
temperatures which gives fried food a crunchy texture, and it is also colourless and odourless and
does not alter the look or smell of food.
Yes. When grown sustainably, a space is created where oil palm agriculture and the environment
can co-exist, protect primary and secondary forests, and ensure the habitats of wildlife are not
harmed. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was established to develop sustainable
practices through credible, global certification standards to ensure we no longer need to cut down
forests or harm wildlife to grow oil palms.
Until such time as sustainable palm oil becomes ‘the norm’, it’s important for consumers to
understand that there are different ways in which palm oil can be produced. Labeling products that
contain Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) and the use of the RSPO Trademark on products are
simple ways for consumers who do not know anything about palm oil, to easily identify ‘good’ palm
oil.
Yes, the list of such companies is available at this link
Several multinational businesses have made commitments on sustainable palm oil. These commitments
are reflected in their policies and releases as mentioned below, some of these companies are:
HUL
Hindustan Unilever is making progress towards a sustainable palm oil supply chain through a
clear strategy and implementation plan. Read
more
P&G
Procter & Gamble has unequivocally committed to zero deforestation in our palm supply chain
and are using our innovation strength to drive positive change in the industry. Read
more
Ferrero
Ferrero Group reaches the goal of 100% certified segregated RSPO sustainable palm fruit oil
and goes beyond. Read
more
Mars
‘Palm Positive Plan’ aims to deliver 100% deforestation-free palm oil by the end of 2020 and
advance respect for human rights across our suppliers’ extended supply chains. Read
more
The Body Shop
Source of sustainable palm oil has been independently audited and as such confirmed as not
leading to deforestation, endangering the natural habitat of wildlife, or impacting negatively
on biodiversity. Read
more
RSPO is working with various local organisations, oil palm farmers and mills in Andhra Pradesh,
which produces the highest volume of palm oil in India. The goal of this initiative is to educate
farmers about best practices for sustainable agriculture, which leads to an increase in yield,
income, market engagement, and an overall improvement of livelihood for these rural families and
communities.
A global standard for Sustainable Palm Oil Production.
RSPO oil palm grower members have committed to some of the strictest agricultural standards
worldwide, with
NO Deforestation
NO New Planting on Peatlands
NO Fire
NO Exploitation of Workers
These are just some of the more than 160 principles and seven criteria at the core of RSPO’s
certification standards, called the 2018 RSPO’s Principles and Criteria (P&C).
They are reviewed every five years via public consultation, followed by member agreement on a
consensus basis for any changes or additions.
"I support
sustainable palm oil because I want India to take a lead in stopping deforestation and exploitation in
Southeast Asian countries”
Meghna
Chakrabarti Gurgaon, Haryana
"I support
sustainable palm oil because I believe
responsible consumption is a powerful solution for the climate crisis”.
Punyasloka
Panda Bhubaneswar, Odisha
“For my
future, for a better life, I need forests and clean air, hence I support sustainable palm oil and
oil palm farmers. The best alternative is to switch to sustainable palm oil”
Arshad
Qureshi Ahmedabad,
Gujarat
Can
We Save Forests While Consuming Palm Oil? Indian Businesses Have the Answer
It
is our responsibility as consumers to only buy products that contain sustainably sourced and produced palm
oil. The first step in doing so is to recogonise the use of palm oil in your product’s ingredients
list.
No deforestation, no use of fire no destruction of
endangered species' habitats like the Orangutan Sumatran tiger and Sumatran
rhino, no new planting on peat, no exploitation, and supporting the
livelihood of those living and working in oil palm plantations.
This
Group Could Help Your Favourite Eatery Switch To Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Oil
5
Brands That Use 100% Sustainable Palm Oil in Your Daily-Use Products
"It is important to raise awareness of unsustainable and
sustainable palm oil production. One customer at a time, we can create the change."
Did
you know, globally, each of us use and consume up to 8 kilos of palm oil annually? Where? In our food, our
cosmetics, and other items we use daily.
How
Is the Safety of Orangutans and Rhinos Connected To Your Shopping Choices?
Did you know? Unsustainable production of palm oil is
clouded in controversy and often associated with deforestation and a threat to tropical biodiverse areas,
endangering species like the orangutan, Sumatran tiger, rhinoceros, and many others. #KnowYourPalm
Everyday Sustainability: How Being Picky on Your Grocery
Run Could Help Combat Deforestation
While unsustainable palm oil cultivation is responsible for
damage to the environment, when produced sustainably, it can halt deforestation, conserve biodiversity,
improve the livelihood of smallholders and reduce the exploitation of indigenous communities.